Since this Friday, the Yser basin, in the west of the Nord department, has been placed in a drought crisis situation. Such a level of alert had never been reached according to the prefecture of the North, which details the new restrictive measures to prevent the situation from worsening.
Since May, eleven watersheds have been closely monitored due to a lack of rainfall combined with high temperatures that are inexorably lowering the levels of the rivers. Measures that were not enough to restore a normal situation, far from it.
“Aquatic life” is in danger
For the Yser basin, “the continual degradation of flows” is such that it “endangers aquatic life”, insists the prefect in a press release, recalling the sadly unprecedented side of the situation.
Therefore, the 37 municipalities located in the basin affected by this “drought crisis” will be subject to drastic restriction measures at least until September 15. In the commercial and artisanal sector, it is now forbidden, except by special dispensation, to consume water for any reason other than the safety or healthiness of industrial activities.
Farmers are prohibited from taking water except for watering animals and irrigating, at set times, crops of fresh and processed vegetables.
It is also forbidden to use water for washing vehicles outside professional stations, to water lawns and public and private green spaces, sports areas of any kind, vegetable gardens, etc. The prohibition applies also for filling private swimming pools for family use and ponds, water bodies and leisure pools.
Another watershed in a very worrying situation
The authorities are particularly attentive to the situation of another basin, that of the Scarpe, in the center of the department. The latter was placed on heightened alert and subject to new restrictions.
In view of the extent of the drought, the prefecture assures that the State services will carry out numerous and regular checks on compliance with the restrictive measures.